Strong and Courageous: A Study in JoshuaSample

What does it say?

The Lord told Joshua that there was still land He would deliver into their hands. Joshua was to divide the land up among the nine and a half tribes west of the Jordan River. 

What does it mean?

Joshua was about 100 years old by the time the nine and a half tribes finally got their allotted inheritance. God confirmed what Moses had done with the two and a half tribes who didn’t want to cross the Jordan (Numbers 32). Although the Levites received no tract of land as an inheritance, there would be cities set aside for them throughout Israel. The Levites served in the Tabernacle and were allowed to eat portions of sacred offerings. Their position required trusting God to meet their every need. The Lord, Himself, was their portion and inheritance.

How should I respond?

It’s much easier to put our security in things we can see and touch rather than in the unseen. However, not many things in this life stand the test of time. To what are you looking to satisfy your needs: physical things that will pass away or the Lord Himself? Romans 8:17 says that if we are children of God, then we are also “joint heirs with Christ” – giving us the greatest inheritance possible, the Lord Himself. Greater than the richest billionaires or greatest kings or powerful politicians is the man who's inheritance is the Lord Himself. Every earthly inheritance and retirement account will eventually be gone. But we can say with the Psalmist, “God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever” (Psalm 73:26).